Val Bradley

Val has been gardening since she could hold a trowel, but only began her career in horticulture after working for three years in a civil service office. The discovery that it was possible to follow a career in gardening was a revelation.

Her pre-college year was spent in a local authority parks department, working on the nursery, on the floral display team and in the botanic garden before going on to complete an OND course in Amenity Horticulture at Askham Bryan College, York. This involved a working middle year, which was spent at a nursery producing hardy plants, houseplants and potted bulbs for DIY stores and large shops.

After moving to Essex when Steve changed jobs, Val worked for Cramphorn's at their flagship garden centre on the outdoor plants area - and, ironically, met Peter Seabrook, although only in passing. This was followed by working at Wisley Gardens and on both hardy plant and bedding plant nurseries, to fit in around two young sons.

Val has taught gardening at night school, answered live phone-in questions on local BBC radio, written for various magazines and written (or co-written) 12 books. She also acts as editor for Steve.

She and Steve have worked for The Sun newspaper for over 20 years, writing the Gardening page with Peter Seabrook and answering hundreds of readers' letters every year.